CARDS: Topps XFL 2020, TNT XFL 2023
ACQUIRED: IP 2025, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Jalan McClendon has taken an interesting path to playing professional football.
• Played sparingly at QB for NC State from 2014-’17 and then at Baylor in 2018.
• Undrafted, Jalan spent time in the camps of the Ravens and Redskins, and then did workouts with the Giants and Packers- all in 2019.
• He’d be selected by the Los Angeles Wildcats of the XFL 20.
• Again, he’d spend time riding the bench, seeing some action here and there throughout the abbreviated 5 game season.
• McClendon was selected by the Vegas Vipers of XFL23.
• He’d start 4 games, and complete 67 of 112 passes for 873 yards and 5 TDs to 1 interception.
• With fleet feet, he escaped defenses to the tune of 30 carries for 137 yards.
• With the merger between the USFL and XFL completed in time for 2024, McClendon was picked up by the DC Defenders.
• Jalan backed up Jordan Ta’Amu but completed 13 of 21 passes for 129 yards in reserve duty.
• Finally in 2025, McClendon was given a chance to shine for the Houston Roughnecks.
• Fighting his way through a QB derby to start, he’d lead the team to a 4-2 record as starter, and complete 147 of 225 passes for 1464 yards and 6 TDs to 3 picks.

NOTES:

I had spied Jalan off the roster of the Roughnecks and when they signed him I felt he had starter material written all over him from his rugged appearance with the Vipers in 2023.

I was able to get him pregame early on. He signed these two cards and thanked me for being a fan, very earnestly. He loved the custom of him from his time with the Vipers. I got both his and Mathew Sexton’s, (also a former Viper) signed at the same game.

I really enjoyed making this custom set. It’s too bad that the league has such high churn that I probably won’t be able to finish out this set.

CARDS: Playoff 1994, UT Upper Deck 2011 HACK
ACQUIRED: TTM 2025, C/o Work
SENT: 9/29 RECEIVED: 10/14 (15 Days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Van Malone played DB at Texas from 1990-’93.
• Hard hitting safety and fearsome special teams player.
• Drafted in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
• Saw action in 55 contests over NFL career, starting in 19 of them.
• Posted 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 102 total tackles over 4 seasons.
• Finished 1997 on IR and signed with the Arizona Cardinals after the season, but was released with an injury settlement.
• Went into coaching and philantropy.
• Climbed the coaching ranks from high school into college, where as of 2020 he is the Assistant Head Coach at Kansas State.

NOTES:

When I started the UT Upper Deck HACK collection, I thought to myself, I need deep cut players. Guys like Van Malone. Here at Texas, we all knew about the hard hitting, in the box, enforcing safety that was Van Malone. Like many other Lifetime Longhorns, I was surprised he was not in the set. I think the card I made completely encapsulates him and I captured it perfectly!

He hadn’t signed in a while, but I was confident, he’d take one look at the card, smile, and sign away. I tossed in the 1994 Playoff card to go along with it and crossed my fingers, sending it off to K-State. I was surprised to get it back just a bit over two weeks later, both signed in blue.

CARDS: Panini Prestige 2015, Upper Deck Star Rookies 2012
ACQUIRED: TTM 2024, C/o Home
SENT: 8/1/24 RECEIVED: 10/27/25 (452 days)

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Michael Floyd played WR for Notre Dame from 2008-’12.
• In his first game, he became the first ever Freshman to score the first points of the season for the Fightin’ Irish.
• His first year numbers of 48 catches for 719 yards and 7 TDs were all school records for a Freshman receiver in 2008.
• In 2011 he caught 100 passes for 1147 yards and 9 TDs.
• His career school totals included 271 receptions for 3686 yards and 37 TDs- including an 88 yard barn burner.
• Both his 100 receptions in 2011, and his 37 career receiving TDs were school record marks.
• Selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
• Drew rave reviews as the heir apparent to longtime Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
• Had raw yet efficient rookie season, catching 45 passes for 562 yards and 2 TDs.
• Blossomed in second season catching 65 passes for 1041 yards and 5 TDs including a career high 91 yarder.
• Had a streak of 4 straight games with TD catches in 2015.
• Following a DUI arrest in 2016, Floyd was released by the team, and began the journeyman phase of his career.
• Signed late in the season by the Patriots, and the following year played for the Vikings in 2017.
• Saw action in 13 contests for the Redskins in 2018.
• Released by the Baltimore Ravens during final roster cuts in 2019.

NOTES:

I like Michael, and I think he got a bad wrap. It’s hard dealing with addictions, especially alcohol since it is so prevalent and easy to get. The Cardinals after his DUI incident, cut his promising career short, and although he went on to play for other teams, I think Floyd could’ve wrapped up a spectacular career with the right kind of help.